Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Recommendation Questions
The Vanderbilt / Owen MBA application requires one professional recommendation, preferably from a current or former supervisor or someone who has relied on you/your work in a full-time, part-time, or internship position. Undergraduate students with little to no professional work experience may use academic references. The recommender should be able to draw upon unique observations and insights to share about you and your qualifications for the program.
Vanderbilt Owen also accepts the Common Letter of Recommendation from GMAC. There is an option for the recommender submit a letter instead, but the online form is preferred.
2024-2025 Vanderbilt Owen MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Recommender Information
Highest degree earned
Institution name:
Type of recommendation letter:
- Academic
- Professional
- Personal
- Research Advisor
Relationship to applicant:
- Colleague
- Professor
- Research Advisor
- Spiritual Leader
- Mentor
- Past Supervisor
- Current Supervisor
- Other
Section 2: Recommendation
Please answer the following questions for your recommendation of this applicant. Alternatively, we will accept an uploaded letter of recommendation addressing the following questions if you so choose. The upload button is located at the bottom of this page. Please note that the use of this online recommendation form is preferred over an uploaded letter of recommendation.
The recommender is to use the following scale:
- Truly Exceptional (Top 1-2%)
- Excellent (Top 5%)
- Very good (Top 10%)
- Good (Top 25%)
- Average (Top 50%)
- Below Average (Bottom 50%)
- Inadequate Opportunity to Judge
To the best of your ability, please rate the applicant for each of the following characteristics:
- Intellectual Ability
- Motivation/Initiative
- Integrity
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Task Management
- Working with Others
- Leadership Potential
- Overall Potential Compared to Peers
If you marked Truly Exceptional or Excellent (Top 1-5%) or Below Average (Bottom 50%) please explain your rating(s). (Max 500 characters)
What characteristics do you consider to be talents and strengths of the applicant? (Max 1200 characters)
What areas do you consider to be deficiencies or weaknesses of the applicant? (Max 1200 characters)
Give an example of a time when the applicant exceeded expectations or showed initiative as a leader and/or team member. (Max 1200 characters)
Describe the individual’s ability to relate to others including speaking/writing skills, presentation skills, nonverbal signals, and social awareness. (Max 1200 characters)
Give an example of a time when the applicant used critical thinking skills to solve a problem. (Max 1200 characters)
If you have knowledge of the individual’s quantitative abilities in the workplace, please describe how the individual uses quantitative and/or analytical skills and include examples. (Max 1200 characters)
Please provide an example of when the individual has provided leadership on a project as part of a team. (Max 1200 characters)
Please provide any additional comments that could help us assess the applicant’s leadership potential and/or potential for professional success. (Max 1200 characters)
Optional Recommendation Letter Upload